BOSTON, Mass. – A wild pitch with bases loaded plated the game-winning run in the 10^th inning as Danny Brown (Hudson, N.H.) scored the decisive run to give the 14^th/22^nd ranked Beacons a come-from-behind 8-7 extra inning win over Suffolk University Monday afternoon at Monan Park.

THE BASICS

#14/22 UMass Boston 8, Suffolk University 7 (10 innings)

UMass Boston (2-0)
Suffolk University (0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED

After Suffolk plated a go ahead run in the top of the 10^th, the Beacons tied the score for the second straight inning.  This time it was a bases loaded hit by pitch of Chris Ducko (Dedham, Mass.) with only one out.  After the Suffolk was able to get the second out of the inning, Brown would take advantage on the miscue on the first pitch of the next at-bat to steal the win from the Rams.

The Beacons forced the extra frame of baseball, in the bottom of the ninth as they countered a three-run top half of the inning by Suffolk.  The Rams, who trailed 4-3 going into the inning tied the game after an RBI single by Marc Birbiglia.  They then took a 6-4 lead thanks to a two-run double by Gino Desimone.

In the bottom half of what would have been the deciding inning, the Beacons got both of their runs thanks to back-to-back bases loaded walks.  UMass Boston tried to end the game in that inning, with the Suffolk pitchers unable to locate the strike zone.  Their best chance to earn the win, nearly came on a wild pitch, but the Beacons' base runners did not advance.  Michael Comeau (Andover, Mass.) would come within inches of plating the game winning with two outs on a fly ball that nearly dropped in behind the Rams' left fielder. 

Suffolk's second go-ahead play came when Logan Heckman hit a sac-fly to deep center field to make it 7-6 in favor of the visitors.  Looking to add some additional insurance runs, the Suffolk bats were held to just the one run, as Mike Doherty (Brewster, Mass.) got out of the inning. 

Just like the ninth, the Rams pitching staff could not find the strike zone, which allowed the Beacons to load the bases quickly.  They then took advantage of the miscue to earn their second straight walk-off victory.

Doherty earned the win for the Beacons in his one inning of work, while CJ Barrett dropped his first decision of the year.  Barrett allowed two runs, both earned, on two hits.

Steve Brookwell (Hightstown, N.J.) and Gianni Zarrilli, Jr. (South Glastonbury, Conn.) each recorded multiple hits in the contest, with Zarilli driving in a pair of runs, while also accounting for a run as well.

Brookwell, was one of four Beacons to record doubles in the contest, with Ryan McCormick (Cumberland, R.I.) recording his second straight extra base hit in as many games.

Nico Kydes (Stamford, Conn.) was also credited with a pair of RBI, after recording a single to center in the third, and a bases loaded walk in the ninth, which tied the game at 6-6.

BY THE NUMBERS

• With the win, the Beacons are now 2-0 to start the season for the third time since the 2014 campaign
• The Beacons have never started the season with back-to-back extra inning wins in the program's history
• UMass Boston is now 15-25 all-time against Suffolk, while head coach Brendan Eygabroat improved to 9-6 against the Rams
• Both teams recorded nine hits in Monday's contest
• Ben Gottesman (Acton, Mass.) got the start and went four complete innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits, while striking out three
• On the day the Beacons showcased seven different pitchers, who combined for nine strikeouts; In total both teams used 12 arms in the non-conference marathon contest, which last over four hours

WHO'S NEXT

The Beacons will host MIT on Thursday at 3 p.m.